Fleeing man falls through frozen lake, is found unresponsive

Jan. 15, 2018

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say a man suspected of fleeing a crash apparently ran onto a frozen Ohio lake, fell through the ice, and was unresponsive when rescuers pulled him from the water more than an hour later.

The man was taken to a hospital Monday afternoon after rescue teams retrieved him from a small lake in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights.

Local Fire Chief Patrick Sweeney tells WJW-TV that the conditions of the icy lake complicated the rescue effort.

Shaker Heights police Commander John Cole tells Cleveland.com that the man was suspected of running off after a hit-and-run crash that damaged property. Police haven't publicly identified the man.